USC passes UF into No. 3 slot

Computers make difference in standings

November 13, 2006|By Randall Mell Staff Writer

Southern California leaped in front of Florida in Sunday's newest Bowl Championship Series standings to gain the strongest foothold among contenders vying to play the Ohio State-Michigan winner for the national championship.

With four major upsets in last week's games, the list of national title contenders was seriously trimmed.

Still, about all that's certain today is that the Big Ten champ is virtually guaranteed a spot in the national championship.

No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) and No. 2 Michigan (11-0) close out their regular seasons Saturday in what will be billed as the most important game in the 103-year history of that rivalry. They've never met ranked Nos. 1-2 before.

``The Ohio State-Michigan game is always the biggest game," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said at a news conference after beating Northwestern Sunday. ``It doesn't matter what the records are or what is on the table depending on the outcome. The fact that it is No. 1 versus No. 2, we think that is the way it should be."

The Trojans made their move based on a strong showing in a 35-10 rout of No. 21 Oregon. The Gators needed a blocked field goal late to hold off South Carolina 17-16.

Texas, California and Auburn all fell out of the national title race with losses on Saturday.

Undefeated Louisville was No. 3 last week, and Florida fans were hopeful Sunday that the Gators would move up and take that spot after the Cardinals were upset on Thursday by Rutgers. Instead, thanks to boosts from the pollsters and the computers, USC made the stronger move.

The USA Today coaches and the Harris Interactive polls make up two-thirds of the BCS formula. Six computers combine to make up the other third.

The competition between USC and Florida for No. 3 is tight.

USC was No. 3 in the Harris Poll Sunday, the Gators No. 3 in the USA Today poll. Computers made the difference. The Trojans hold an advantage among the computers with an average rank of No. 4 while the Gators have an average rank of No. 6.

``If Florida and USC win out, it looks like it's between them as to who ends up No. 2," BCS analyst Jerry Palm said. ``The only thing that could mess that up is what the voters do with the Ohio State-Michigan loser."

It's hardly a two-team race to play the Big Ten champ. Florida and USC stand at the front of a line of five one-loss teams with the best chances of advancing to the national title game.

The Gators (9-1), USC (8-1), Notre Dame (9-1) and Arkansas (9-1) have separated themselves with the Ohio State-Michigan loser also expected to remain in the mix.

The Fighting Irish at No. 5 and the Razorbacks at No. 7 have golden chances to move up. Notre Dame plays at USC on Nov. 25, and Arkansas is looking at a potential SEC Championship showdown with Florida in Atlanta on Dec. 2.

``There's nothing I can control other than making sure our staff's working hard, our players are working hard," Florida coach Urban Meyer said in his Sunday conference call. ``I'm one of those guys that don't spend much time worrying about it."

Notably, Rutgers (9-0) is No. 6 in the standings, but the Scarlet Knights are being held back by the voters. They are No. 2 among computers but No. 8 in the coaches' poll and No. 7 in the Harris Interactive. There are too many one-loss teams in front of Rutgers in the human polls to make them a front-running contender.

Significantly, Boise State (10-0) moved up to No. 12. If the Broncos finish 12th or higher in the final standings, they're guaranteed a BCS berth, likely in the Fiesta Bowl.

Randall Mell can be reached at rmell@sun-sentinel.com.

BCS STANDINGS

1. OHIO STATE .9765

2. MICHIGAN .9735

3. SO. CALIFORNIA .8699

4. FLORIDA .8495

5. NOTRE DAME .8193

BCS BREAKDOWN

The Bowl Championship Series national title game will be played Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. Here's a look at how the contenders stand: Ready to book travel: The winner of Saturday's No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) vs. No. 2 Michigan (11-0) game is virtually guaranteed a spot in the national championship game. The question is whether the loser will get a rematch with much more at stake than the Big Ten title. Front-runners: Southern California (8-1) and Florida (9-1) are positioned strongest among one-loss teams in the latest BCS standings. Notre Dame (9-1) and Arkansas (9-1) are lurking just behind and poised to pounce.

Saying their prayers: Rutgers (9-0) didn't get enough help from the human pollsters in the BCS standings and probably can't get past the four one-loss teams in front of them. West Virginia (8-1) and Louisville (8-1) need a miracle to have a chance to play for the national title.

Doomed: Texas (9-2), California (8-2) and Auburn (9-2) blew their chances by losing Saturday. Wake Forest (9-1) is too far back. Wisconsin (10-1) is shut out with no chance to win the Big Ten. Boise State (10-0) will be happy just to get into a BCS bowl.